Tom Ford Contouring Cheek Color Duo in Stroked Review

I have been blogging for just over three years now and in that time there has only been one blush that I have truly recommended and rated for contouring and that was Sleek Make Up Blush in Suede. Well I finally have one more blush to top that list and it is the Tom Ford Contouring Cheek Color Duo in Stroked. Admittedly it is much pricer than the Sleek Make Up offering but in Tom Ford's defence it does contain a blush/contouring powder as well as a separate highlighter all of which are fairly sizeable.

I own a few Tom Ford blush palettes and the packaging is not only utterly beautiful (would you expect anything less) but beyond practical. A great size, it will comfortably fit into the palm of most hands (I have ridiculously small hands and it is approx the size of my palm), inside you will find two powders which are surprisingly large in size along with great sized mirror. As Mr Ford is all about luxury for the limited edition Autumn make-up collection all products come housed inside deep chocolate packaging complete with a matching velvet pouch. I've never felt so spoiled in all my life...well where make-up is involved at least.

As part of the Tom Ford Autumn Make-Up collection there is two limited edition Contouring Cheek Duo's to choose from: Softcore and Stroked. Tom Ford Softcore features a more plum based yet red toned blush with a golden highlighter where as Stroked is more warm, terracotta based. In my opinion the blush in Stroked is a deep almost red based coral with warm hints of brown. It really is a stunning shade that is perfect for not only adding a flush of colour to the cheeks but due to the matte finish and over all shade of the blush it can be used to contour. Very clever and practical. The highlighting pan in this product is not to be overlooked either - a warm, strong golden based shimmering highlighting powder that will add radiance where ever it may be applied. This is one of the few blush duos that I consider to be universal, it should suit most complexions.

At £56 (which is £28 per powder in this duo) the first thing you want is quality, this is not a product that you will purchase on a whim and rightly so. In my opinion each powder within the duo is finely milled, silky soft to the touch, beautifully pigmented and easily diffused. Contouring if often easier said than done and I'm sure I am not the only one who has overdone it on occasion? Well as the blush within this duo is more of a natural shade that 99.9% of the bronzing powders out there it is more difficult to over apply. Even if you are a little heavy handed, you can grab a clean blush or powder brush and quickly blend out any harsh lines. The highlighter is right up my alley, it is noticeable one applied to the skin but not in obnoxious manner. It catches the light and gives the impression of healthy, glowing skin. There is not trace of glitter and this is one of the few highlighters that I own in which it is easily identified on the skin and yet doesn't draw attention to my enlarged pores. Yes this is a pricey duo to own but in my humble opinion one of those rare high end products that warrant a purchase.

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Maybe I'm getting old and cranky, but I can't understand why you would position a product at the highest price point, ensconce it in gloriously plush packaging, the finest color, ingredients and formula, and then call it something vaguely smarmy/sniggling as "Softcore". Honestly, I know that TF is known for his over the top sex adverts, but it's like they assigned the naming of the this product to a 14 year old boy. After all the time and investment that the brand sinks into the product, why would they give it a name that you are uncomfortable saying to a stranger when they ask what blush/lipstick/etc you're wearing? You miss a terrific opportunity to reinforce the luxury of your brand with an equally luxurious name.

This looks beautiful! I use the Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Palette most days and it is seriously divine. I personally find the cream highlighter within a little bit useless, but the bronzing cream is just stunning when applied on an angled eyeshadow brush and drawn under the cheekbone then buffed with a contour brush. I cannot recommend Tom Ford beauty enough :)